By: Mark Holtsberry
Clyde Thomas McKevitt was born June 30, 1885in Paulding County. The son of Peter McKevitt, who was born March of 1844 in New York and Mary E. (Freede) McKevitt, born March 6, 1848 in Ohio. Peter was a Civil War Veteran who served with Company C. 68th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
This couple was married September 12, 1867 in Paulding, Ohio. By 1880, this couple was living in Brown Township. Along with daughters Veletta M. born in 1869, Alice A. born in 1874, Laura M. born May 27, 1880.
Laura passed away September 21, 1882. She was buried in Charloe Blakesley Cemetery, Charloe. Sons Charlie P. born February 15, 1871, Trubadour (Trube) born May 1, 1877. Peter was a farmer. By 1890, the McKevitt family had added children a son Christopher born December 28, 1882, Clyde T. born in 1885, twins Mary Francis and Joseph A. born January 23, 1889 in Melrose.
Joseph passed away September 24, 1889. He was buried in Charloe Blakesley Cemetery. Clyde was a student in school and Peter was still farming. Mary passed away June 10, 1894. She was buried in Charloe Blakesley Cemetery. A daughter, Veletta, had married a fella named Henry A. Bittner. He passed away in Paulding September 20, 1899 of a heart attack. They had a five month old son named Henry Adam Jr. Veletta and son, lived with Peter.
By 1910, Clyde had moved out on his own. His father, Peter, had remarried a widow women named Sarah Williams. Clyde joined the National Army in Columbus, Ohio July 31, 1917. He was listed as 5’7″, black hair, brown eyes, ruddy complexion, and excellent character. He served with the 10th Company, 3rd Battalion, 158th Depot Brigade, School of Bakers and Cooks at Camp Sherman, Ohio. He finished his schooling at the rank of cook July 17, 1918. He was promoted to private, December 11, 1918. He was Honorably Discharged January 30, 1919. After his service he became a baker.
In 1921, Clyde met a divorced gal named Cora B. (Roberts) Goodwin. They moved to Lima at 945 South Elizabeth Street. Clyde worked as a carpenter. Clyde’s father, Peter, passed away in 1924. He was buried with Mary at Charloe Blakesley. Clyde’s brother, Charlie passed away February 5, 1926. He was buried with his family in Charloe.
By 1930, Clyde and Cora were living at 315 South Central Street in Lima, Ohio. Clyde was working as a laborer in a junkyard. On February 3, 1934, Clyde was admitted to the Dayton Veteran Administration Hospital. He was released with no explanation.
On August 24, 1934, Clyde’s brother, Trubadour passed away at the Toledo State Hospital. He was buried in site 1315 in the State Cemetery. In 1942, Clyde, at the age of 57, registers for the World War Two draft, he was not chosen.
Clyde and Cora were living at 135 and a half South Main Street in Lima. He was employed by the W.P.A. (Works Progress Administration) program. On April 27, 1943, Clyde Thomas McKevitt passed away. He was buried with his family in Charloe. On March 6, 1949, Clyde’s brother, Christopher, applied for Clyde’s tombstone. Records verified his service March 12, 1949. His stone was ordered April 14, 1949 at Lee, Massachuetts and shipped to Carl Shinan of Oakwood and installed.
… Until Next Time!
